GB2026783A - Electrical earth-spike - Google Patents

Electrical earth-spike Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2026783A
GB2026783A GB7831177A GB7831177A GB2026783A GB 2026783 A GB2026783 A GB 2026783A GB 7831177 A GB7831177 A GB 7831177A GB 7831177 A GB7831177 A GB 7831177A GB 2026783 A GB2026783 A GB 2026783A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
earth
spike
electrical
cap
hollow tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB7831177A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SIMPLON INTERLINE
Original Assignee
SIMPLON INTERLINE
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SIMPLON INTERLINE filed Critical SIMPLON INTERLINE
Priority to GB7831177A priority Critical patent/GB2026783A/en
Publication of GB2026783A publication Critical patent/GB2026783A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/66—Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin

Abstract

An electrical earth-spike has a hollow tube (4) made of electrically conducting metal or alloy with holes (6) distributed over the wall of the tube arranged in equi-spaced zones along the length of the tube. An inverted cone (8) is secured to the lower end of the tube and a cap (10) is secured to the upper end. The cap is provided with a central aperture (12) through which water or salt solution can be poured to make a low resistance path to earth when the soil is dry. A terminal (14) enables an electrical apparatus to be connected to earth through a lead (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical earth-spike The present invention relates to electrical earth connections, and more particularly to an electrical earth-spike.
Electrical earth-spikes are commonly used to connect to earth enclosures for electrical apparatus so that the electrical potential of the enclosures is maintained close to earth-potential.
Electrical earth-spikes are also used to earth the centre-point of multiphase electrical systems, or one conductor in two-wire single phase systems.
In order for an electrical earth-spike to function adequately, the electrical path to earth must have a sufficiently low resistance. However, the electrical resistance of the soil or other materials forming the surface layers of the ground may be high. This is the case where the soil contains only small amounts of electrically conductive substances such as carbon, salts or metals, or more commonly, where the soil is dry. Under these conditions, known electrical earth-spikes are not satisfactory.
According to the present invention there is provided an electrical earth-spike formed of electrically conductive material comprising a hollow tube having a pointed section at its lower end and a cap secured to its upper end, and means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus which is to be earthed, wherein the hollow tube has at least one hole through its wall.
Preferably the electrically conductive material is metallic.
In one embodiment of the present invention the pointed section is integrally formed with the hollow tube.
In a second embodiment, the pointed section is formed independently of the hollow tube and is secured to it at a later stage.
Preferably the cap has a greater diameter than the hollow tube, so that a hammer can be used to drive the earth-spike into the ground. Such a cap also facilitates the withdrawal of the earth-spike from the ground.
Preferably the means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus is a terminal to which a wire can be attached.
The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure shows a longitudinal section of an electrical earth-spike sunk in the ground.
Referring to the drawing, an electrical earthspike is generally designated by the reference numeral 2. The earth-spike 2 has been driven into soil 3. The earth-spike 2 includes a hollow tube 4 made of conducting metal or alloy. Holes 6 are distributed over the entire wall of the tube 4. As shown the holes 6 are arranged in five equispaced zones along the length of the tube 4, each zone having eight equi-spaced holes around the circumference. The number and arrangement of the holes is not critical and they-may be arranged according to any other pattern including zig-zag lines or rows of holes along the length or around the circumference of the tube. The tube 4 has an inverted cone 8 secured to its lower end, and a cap 10 secured to its upper end. The cap 10 has an aperture 12 through its centre.A terminal 14 connects one end of a wire 1 6 to the cap 10. The other end of the wire 1 6 is connected to an electrical apparatus (not shown).
When the soil 3 surrounding the earthspike 2 contains sufficient electrically conductive substances such as water, the earth-spike 2 acts like any known earth-spike. However, when the soil 3 is lacking in conductive substances and the electrical path to earth has a high resistance, the earth-spike 2 embodying the present invention can still provide a satisfactory connection to earth.
The resistance of the electrical path to earth is reduced by pouring water or a solution of a conductive salt through the aperture 1-2 into the hollow tube 4. The water or salt solution passes through the holes 6, into the surrounding soil 3. In this way, the electrically conductive substances necessary to a low-resistance path to earth are introduced into the soil 3, and the earth-spike 2 functions satisfactorily.
Although the above described earth-spike is provided with a plurality of holes 6 in the tube 4, a single hole will in fact suffice to improve the conductivity of the soil, provided it will be situated below the level of the soil when the spike is driven into the ground.
1. An electrical earth-spike formed of electrically conductive material comprising a hollow tube having a pointed section at its lower end and a cap secured to its upper end, and means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus which is to be earthed, wherein the hollow tube has at least one hole through its wall.
2. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive material is metallic.
3. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pointed section is integrally formed with the hollow tube.
4. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pointed section is formed independently of the hollow tube and is secured to it at a later stage.
5. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap has a greater diameter than the hollow tube.
6. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus is a terminal to which an electrical lead can be connected.
7. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are a
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical earth-spike The present invention relates to electrical earth connections, and more particularly to an electrical earth-spike. Electrical earth-spikes are commonly used to connect to earth enclosures for electrical apparatus so that the electrical potential of the enclosures is maintained close to earth-potential. Electrical earth-spikes are also used to earth the centre-point of multiphase electrical systems, or one conductor in two-wire single phase systems. In order for an electrical earth-spike to function adequately, the electrical path to earth must have a sufficiently low resistance. However, the electrical resistance of the soil or other materials forming the surface layers of the ground may be high. This is the case where the soil contains only small amounts of electrically conductive substances such as carbon, salts or metals, or more commonly, where the soil is dry. Under these conditions, known electrical earth-spikes are not satisfactory. According to the present invention there is provided an electrical earth-spike formed of electrically conductive material comprising a hollow tube having a pointed section at its lower end and a cap secured to its upper end, and means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus which is to be earthed, wherein the hollow tube has at least one hole through its wall. Preferably the electrically conductive material is metallic. In one embodiment of the present invention the pointed section is integrally formed with the hollow tube. In a second embodiment, the pointed section is formed independently of the hollow tube and is secured to it at a later stage. Preferably the cap has a greater diameter than the hollow tube, so that a hammer can be used to drive the earth-spike into the ground. Such a cap also facilitates the withdrawal of the earth-spike from the ground. Preferably the means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus is a terminal to which a wire can be attached. The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure shows a longitudinal section of an electrical earth-spike sunk in the ground. Referring to the drawing, an electrical earthspike is generally designated by the reference numeral 2. The earth-spike 2 has been driven into soil 3. The earth-spike 2 includes a hollow tube 4 made of conducting metal or alloy. Holes 6 are distributed over the entire wall of the tube 4. As shown the holes 6 are arranged in five equispaced zones along the length of the tube 4, each zone having eight equi-spaced holes around the circumference. The number and arrangement of the holes is not critical and they-may be arranged according to any other pattern including zig-zag lines or rows of holes along the length or around the circumference of the tube. The tube 4 has an inverted cone 8 secured to its lower end, and a cap 10 secured to its upper end. The cap 10 has an aperture 12 through its centre.A terminal 14 connects one end of a wire 1 6 to the cap 10. The other end of the wire 1 6 is connected to an electrical apparatus (not shown). When the soil 3 surrounding the earthspike 2 contains sufficient electrically conductive substances such as water, the earth-spike 2 acts like any known earth-spike. However, when the soil 3 is lacking in conductive substances and the electrical path to earth has a high resistance, the earth-spike 2 embodying the present invention can still provide a satisfactory connection to earth. The resistance of the electrical path to earth is reduced by pouring water or a solution of a conductive salt through the aperture 1-2 into the hollow tube 4. The water or salt solution passes through the holes 6, into the surrounding soil 3. In this way, the electrically conductive substances necessary to a low-resistance path to earth are introduced into the soil 3, and the earth-spike 2 functions satisfactorily. Although the above described earth-spike is provided with a plurality of holes 6 in the tube 4, a single hole will in fact suffice to improve the conductivity of the soil, provided it will be situated below the level of the soil when the spike is driven into the ground. CLAIMS
1. An electrical earth-spike formed of electrically conductive material comprising a hollow tube having a pointed section at its lower end and a cap secured to its upper end, and means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus which is to be earthed, wherein the hollow tube has at least one hole through its wall.
2. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive material is metallic.
3. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pointed section is integrally formed with the hollow tube.
4. An electrical earth-spike according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pointed section is formed independently of the hollow tube and is secured to it at a later stage.
5. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap has a greater diameter than the hollow tube.
6. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for electrically connecting the cap to an apparatus is a terminal to which an electrical lead can be connected.
7. An electrical earth-spike according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are a plurality of holes provided in the hollow tube, said holes being arranged in one or more equi-spaced zones along the length of the tube.
8. An electrical earth-spike constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB7831177A 1978-07-26 1978-07-26 Electrical earth-spike Withdrawn GB2026783A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7831177A GB2026783A (en) 1978-07-26 1978-07-26 Electrical earth-spike

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7831177A GB2026783A (en) 1978-07-26 1978-07-26 Electrical earth-spike

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2026783A true GB2026783A (en) 1980-02-06

Family

ID=10498673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7831177A Withdrawn GB2026783A (en) 1978-07-26 1978-07-26 Electrical earth-spike

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2026783A (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2650125A1 (en) * 1989-07-20 1991-01-25 Basles Daniel Biotic earthing device
WO1998056073A2 (en) * 1997-06-03 1998-12-10 Dong Yang Industrial Co., Ltd. Ground rod and installation method for the same
US5998731A (en) * 1997-01-16 1999-12-07 Etsuko Takamura Absorbed type lightning rod and absorbed type lightning discharging apparatus
GB2345805A (en) * 1998-09-04 2000-07-19 Mastech Supplies Limited Gounding electrode
US6515220B1 (en) 2001-07-26 2003-02-04 Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc. Moisture collecting grounding electrode
CN101640385B (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-12-07 贵州南源电力科技开发有限公司 Structure of lightning protection grounding network in karst area and manufacturing method thereof
CN102723618A (en) * 2012-06-14 2012-10-10 株洲普天中普防雷科技有限公司 Lightning protection grounding rod special for mobile communication vehicle and assembling and using method thereof
CN103928773A (en) * 2014-04-25 2014-07-16 广东电网公司惠州供电局 Method for improving transformer substation soil moisture content
CN105428834A (en) * 2014-08-21 2016-03-23 国网河南省电力公司漯河供电公司 Antitheft combined copper clad steel grounding electrode and mounting method thereof
CN106058499A (en) * 2016-05-19 2016-10-26 国网河南省电力公司南阳供电公司 Transformer substation outdoor equipment area foundation structure

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2650125A1 (en) * 1989-07-20 1991-01-25 Basles Daniel Biotic earthing device
US5998731A (en) * 1997-01-16 1999-12-07 Etsuko Takamura Absorbed type lightning rod and absorbed type lightning discharging apparatus
WO1998056073A2 (en) * 1997-06-03 1998-12-10 Dong Yang Industrial Co., Ltd. Ground rod and installation method for the same
WO1998056073A3 (en) * 1997-06-03 1999-03-18 Dong Yang Ind Co Ltd Ground rod and installation method for the same
GB2345805A (en) * 1998-09-04 2000-07-19 Mastech Supplies Limited Gounding electrode
GB2345805B (en) * 1998-09-04 2002-04-10 Mastech Supplies Ltd Grounding electrode having a collar
US6515220B1 (en) 2001-07-26 2003-02-04 Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc. Moisture collecting grounding electrode
CN101640385B (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-12-07 贵州南源电力科技开发有限公司 Structure of lightning protection grounding network in karst area and manufacturing method thereof
CN102723618A (en) * 2012-06-14 2012-10-10 株洲普天中普防雷科技有限公司 Lightning protection grounding rod special for mobile communication vehicle and assembling and using method thereof
CN103928773A (en) * 2014-04-25 2014-07-16 广东电网公司惠州供电局 Method for improving transformer substation soil moisture content
CN105428834A (en) * 2014-08-21 2016-03-23 国网河南省电力公司漯河供电公司 Antitheft combined copper clad steel grounding electrode and mounting method thereof
CN106058499A (en) * 2016-05-19 2016-10-26 国网河南省电力公司南阳供电公司 Transformer substation outdoor equipment area foundation structure
CN106058499B (en) * 2016-05-19 2018-06-22 国网河南省电力公司南阳供电公司 A kind of outside transformer substation battery limits foundation structure

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2026783A (en) Electrical earth-spike
DE1615039A1 (en) Isolation arrangement
GB2013998A (en) Improvements in or relating to electric power lines
CH638616A5 (en) ELECTRODE HEAD FOR AN ELECTRODE.
US1177180A (en) Grounding device.
DE2030747C3 (en) Acceleration tube for a charge carrier beam
US3715532A (en) Encapsulated high voltage-switching installation
US4056754A (en) Vidicon having switchable electrode connections
US1013305A (en) Grounding device for electrical conductors.
DE2928727C2 (en) Cable termination for medium voltage and high voltage cables
US3281520A (en) Electric discharge protection for conductive bodies buried underground
US6259420B1 (en) Antenna element with helical radiation members
US2899533A (en) Electrical water heater
JP4448404B2 (en) Grounding device
DE2536821A1 (en) Electrode for monitoring boiler water level - has housing with electrode reaching monitored level and protective tube coaxial with electrode
US343458A (en) Geouge s
JPS59202027A (en) Electrode-type water-level gauge
US4227985A (en) Anode assembly
DE3506754A1 (en) Terminal connection in electrically heated vacuum installations
DE8619005U1 (en) Capacitive proximity sensor
DE3811987C1 (en) Earthing device on a capacitive protective fence
US1978122A (en) Grounding terminal
SU964803A1 (en) Portable earthing device
DE1902575C (en) Electric heating unit
DE2010143A1 (en) High voltage cables for X-ray tubes

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)